Where to Train?
by Captain Wayne (Rusty) Baker
Is it better to train FAR Part 61, or 141?
Are the airline academies better than other flight schools?
Part 141 Pilot Schools
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-certificated pilot schools are regulated in accordance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 141. Unlike pilot training conducted under 14 CFR part 61, part 141 pilot schools are required to use a structured training program and syllabus. Part 141 pilot schools may be able to provide a greater variety of training aids and require dedicated training facilities, flight instructor oversight, and FAA-approved course curricula. Colleges and universities, which may offer aviation degrees, often provide pilot training under part 141.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAA PART 61 VS. FAA PART 141?
You may ask what are the advantages to you as a flight student. There are many…
• Under FAA Part 141, minimum flight time to earn your Private Pilots License is 35 hours instead of 40 hours for FAA Part 61
• Under FAA Part 141, minimum flight hours to earn your Instrument Rating is 35 hours instead of 40 hours under FAA Part 61
• Additionally, under FAA Part 61, students are required to have 50 hours of Cross Country Flight Time prior to receiving their Instrument rating. Under FAA Part 141, there is no such requirement. Therefore, there is a major advantage in time required to earn your instrument rating under FAA Part 141.
• Under FAA Part 141 minimum flight time to earn your Commercial Rating is 190 hours. Under FAA Part 61, minimum time to earn your Commercial Rating is 250 hours.
By training in a FAA Part 141 environment a student can save at least 60 hours of flight training to earn their commercial certificate. That can represent as much as $13,500.00 in actual savings. But the real advantage is much more. By maintaining the high standards of FAA Part 141, you are receiving flight training based upon an approved, curriculum based program. In every step of your flight training, you will know exactly where you are, every step of the way.
There is another even bigger advantage to a FAA Part 141 program. In today’s environment, flight instructors are moving quickly to careers in aviation. Airlines are hungry for pilots. And so it is not unusual for a student to transition through multiple instructors as they train. Unfortunately, in a FAA Part 61 program, your entire flight training record is contained in your logbook, endorsed by your instructor. Midway through your flight training, if your instructor leaves, your next instructor will be required to review all your skills before he endorses your logbook for your solo, your private pilot flight test and all flight endorsements. In a FAA Part 141 environment, the school retains your flight records and so your flight training is seamless.
Many students have started and then had to restart multiple times because their instructor left. Given the pilot shortage, if you are training at an FAR 141 school and your instructor leaves, it does not impact your flight training to the extent that you have to demonstrate all tasks again to your new instructor prior to moving forward. I believe that is the biggest advantage to training under FAA Part 141.
Are college programs better than flight schools?
One of the most confusing aviation myths that is perpetuated online is that a pilot needs a four-year college degree in order to move from the regional airlines to the major airlines. This is simply not true. You don't need that four-year degree to fly for the major airlines.
One of the most compelling comparisons between an aviation academy and a four-year college is what it will cost you in time and financial outlay. Unlike a full-time college commitment, you will be focused solely on your flight training. A well-established, dedicated career-oriented curriculum can put you on a path to your goal in far less time, for much less money.
There is a difference between attending classes at your local college and taking part in a classroom of an established, aviation-only flight school. You do NOT need a four-year degree to become a professional commercial pilot. Not even if you want to fly for the major airlines. A college degree is not to be discounted – it could be a tie-breaker between two qualified candidates. But our intention here is to focus on getting your flying credentials.
Here are a few thoughts regarding private accredited Part 141 flight schools vs. the college/university pathway.
Flight Schools Cost Less Money, Take Less Time
The truth is students will learn all of the criteria required for proficiency and certification whichever way they go about it. The main difference is that at a flight school, the students need not worry about other non-aviation related classes while pursuing their flight training. This accomplishes two things – first, it gives the flight student a dedicated and focused approach to flight training. Second, it costs less money and takes less time, because in most cases you can acquire the ratings and experience to become a professional pilot in about two years for approximately half the expense as a college degree. An added benefit is that you can begin earning money as a pilot much sooner than you could if you’re enrolled in a four-year program. The reason being a flight school can offer a graduating student a job as a flight instructor, AS WELL AS a path to a partnered regional airline.
The college experience.
Flight schools don’t offer sports or many of the other elements of life on a college campus. If collegiate sports and other extracurricular activities are important to you, more important than getting qualified and jump-starting your flying career, then a college program may be for you. Less regimented. No uniform to wear when flying. It’s a matter of priorities.
But the flight school student gets a taste of living in the “real world” rather than being indoctrinated by the college lifestyle which can be an ingenuine and misleading entrance into the “real” world.
Where should a new pilot go to get training?
Which schools are best?
I make no endorsements. That said, the following links will take you to lists of several programs, some of which might be of interest to you.
https://www.eaa.org/eaa/youth/aviation-schools-colleges-and-programs
https://av-info.faa.gov/PilotSchool.asp
I am not endorsing any particular companies, but the more research I did, the more ATP Flight School kept popping up.
https://atpflightschool.com
From having positive experiences with Kit Darby years ago when I was in the hunt for an airline job, I would suggest taking a look at www.kitdarby.com
Also from personal experience when I was looking for a job, I suggest you take a look at
www.Climbto350.com
They have a placement service, and worldwide job openings are posted on the web site.
Talk with a representative of your flight school.
Considerations / Questions to ask:
Is financing available?
How can I get it?
Will training with one airline’s academy lock the student in to that airline only?
Is it better to pay in advance, or pay as I go? (Invest in the school?/ invest in yourself.)
How can training costs be offset?
Buy an airplane.
Work as a CFI while building hours.
Don’t stop working at your job.
Start a business or side gig to supplement income. Something to fall back on when and if furloughed.
How do I get started?
Do a Google search for any information you need.
Join Facebook groups.
Do your own research.
Just get started!
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.
The best time to invest in the stock market was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.
The best time to begin flight training was years ago. The second-best time is now.
It’s not going to get any cheaper if you wait.
What are the career opportunities for pilots?
Drones
Pipeline patrol
CFI
Air taxi
Fractional ownership
Air ambulance
Corporate
Regional airlines
Major airlines
Military
Good luck!